Life on a farm is never quiet, there is always plenty to do, so, despite the firebreak lockdown everything had to be done as usual, writes Hugh Besent.

Most of our cows have calved by now, and our cubicle shed is full. We will have to sell a few old, barren cows shortly to make some space for the rest of the milking cows.

Unlike during the previous Covid-19 lockdown, the food supply chain seems to be running smoothly this time.

That is except for Welshpool Market who unfortunately suffered from a Covid-19 incident and could not function, this must have caused problems for some farmers.

Earlier this month it was good to hear that Liz Truss MP had agreed to extend the role of the Trade and Agriculture Commission and place it on a statutory footing through amendments to the Agriculture Bill and the Trade Bill.

This significant commitment to primary legislation on food standards will mean MPs will have expert independent advice from the Trade and Agriculture Commission on future trade deals, as part of the ratification process.

This is something the NFU and NFU Cymru have been calling for.

This is the time of year when farmers look forward to receiving their Basic Payment, which is usually paid from the first week in December.

Farmers can apply for the BPS Support Scheme which can guarantee a 90 per cent advance payment.

Applications are made via RPW Online, but they have to be done before November 27.

It is a simple process, and any farmers that submitted a BPS application are encouraged to apply to the support scheme, especially if a payment early in the payment window period is essential to their business.

For those of us living on the Welsh side of Offa’s Dyke, the firebreak lockdown is over, for the time being at least.

The pubs and other establishments are now open with all the usual social distancing requirements.

However, those in England will have to suffer for a couple more weeks of lockdown restrictions, so long as they do not stray to Wales.

Let’s hope that a Covid-19 vaccine is soon available so some sort of normality can return. I fear festivities will have to be a little quieter this year, but it may be that the true meaning of Christmas may be more appreciated.